March 4, 2004

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. ----- UAB men's basketball player Morris Finley was named one of 10 semifinalists for the second-annual Creamland Dairies Collegiate Basketball Award of Excellence on Wednesday announced The Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB).

The Creamland Dairies Collegiate Basketball Award of Excellence honors college seniors for their athletic and academic achievement, as well as their community involvement. The award, in its second year, was first presented in Albuquerque, N.M., after the 2002-03 basketball season.

Last year's winners were Matt Bonner of Florida, who was drafted by the Chicago Bulls, and Tiffany Kyser of IUPUI. This year's award will be presented on Tuesday, April 13, at an awards dinner at the Albuquerque Marriott. Jimmy Dykes, ESPN's College Basketball Analyst, will emcee the event.

"The process of narrowing down all the nominees to the 10 semi-finalists was difficult because of the many exceptional candidates, but we are extremely proud of the 20 individuals who made our semifinalist list," said Dan Ballou, Director of Sports Marketing for ACVB. "We are pleased that our semifinalists represent all regions of the country and a diverse group of conferences. The students on the list all have outstanding credentials and the selection of the three finalists is going to be another difficult task, but one that will be very rewarding."

Finley, a native of LaFayette, Ala., is UAB's leading scorer this season and is averaging 13.0 points per contest. The Blazers' senior also leads the team in three-pointers made (50) and attempted (150). Earlier this season, he was hampered by a shoulder injury and was forced to miss three non-conference games.

Despite the injury, Finley has accumulated the second-most points scored on the team (298) and is also averaging 2.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals per contest. On Feb. 19, UAB's preseason All-Conference USA selection was named to the 2004 National Basketball Coaches Association (NABC) All-District Team.

Highlighting this year's Creamland Dairies Collegiate Basketball Award of Excellence honorees are Jameer Nelson of St. Joseph's, who currently leads the nation's No. 2-ranked team.

UAB will next be in action on Saturday as the Blazers host their final home game of the 2003-04 season against the TCU Horned Frogs at noon in Bartow Arena.

2004 Men's Creamland Dairies Collegiate Basketball Award of Excellence Semifinalists:

Timmy Bowers, Mississippi State

Mo Finley, UAB

James Gillingham, Bradley

Tommy Gunn, MTSU

Adam Hess, William and Mary

Michael Lindeman, Creighton

Adam Mark, Belmont

Jameer Nelson, St. Joseph's

Jason Parker, Tulsa

Jake Sullivan, Iowa State